ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – A nationwide effort to revitalize every street named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr is underway. It’s starting right here in Saint Louis. The group has already hit a major setback.
The organization is called, Beloved Streets of America. The non-profit set up an office here at the corner of Dr. King and Hamilton in the Heart of north St. Louis They are gearing up for a big celebration this weekend. However, somebody promptly drove into the building. Organizers say they are not going to let this stop what they want to accomplish.
Beloved Streets of America was founded by Melvin White. White says he knows his mission to revitalize every street named after the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King will take years and countless hours. Melvin says he’s up for this challenge.
“Seeing the disparities of what’s going on these streets crime , drugs , prostitution, and just by looking at the street name– it did not represent what was going on martin Luther King is a great hero of our time.” said Melvin White.
Melvin is trying to pull the pieces together after someone drove into the building on Dr. King Drive, loosening the brick in a supporting pier. Gradually the bricks from the pier, and now the building, is sagging and in danger of collapse.
“Windows are always broken out we had people run into this building with cars the building is in desperate repair right now.” said Melvin White.
The non-profit is raising money and trying to find a contractor who will donate their time to prop up the building. Andrew Raimist is lending a helping hand and say the repairs must be made to to help keep the dream
“Martin Luther King represents the best of what is in America. Whether you are white, black, or a minority, young or old, everybody agrees; King is a hero.” said Andrew Raimist.
Organizers say they will take the dream across the county to clean and repair streets named after Dr. King Where many shuttered storefronts , vacant lots and trash lined the streets and boarded up-eyesores stand.
Beloved Streets of America has an event planned for this Saturday starting at 10am. They will march from Union along MLK heading west on Hamilton where there will be a neighborhood celebration.
